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Lancaster

city

Lancaster is a charter city located in northern Los Angeles County, California, nestled in the Antelope Valley of the western Mojave Desert. As of 2020, the population was 173,516, making it the 30th most populous city in California. Lancaster and its southern neighbor, Palmdale, are considered twin cities and principal hubs of the Antelope Valley region. Lancaster's economy is diverse, with major employment sectors including healthcare, education, retail, and technology. The city has a growing commercial and industrial presence, attracting businesses with its affordable land and strategic location. Lancaster is also making strides in renewable energy, aiming to be a net-zero electricity community. Lancaster's history is tied to the Southern Pacific Railroad, which established a station there in 1876. The city officially incorporated in 1977, marking a new era of community pride and self-governance. Today, Lancaster offers a blend of high desert landscapes, a growing cultural scene, and a commitment to a better future.

Lancaster, California

Overview
Classification
City
FIPS Code
06-40130
Country
United States
County
Los Angeles County
Geography
Region
Antelope Valley, Western Mojave Desert
Elevation
2,359 ft
Total Area
94.52 sq mi
Land Area
94.27 sq mi
Water Area
0.25 sq mi
Latitude
34.683
Longitude
-118.15
Climate
Semi-arid climate with hot summers and mild winters. Low humidity and an average of 8 inches of rainfall per year.
Notable Features
Mojave Desert · Antelope Valley · Tehachapi Mountains · San Gabriel Mountains
Neighboring Areas
Palmdale · California City
Demographics
Population (2020)
173,516
Est. Population (2024)
167,426
Median Age
34.5
Median Income
$81,511
Poverty Rate
15.56%
Family Households
71.9%
Owner-Occupied
60.4%
Racial & Ethnic Composition
The largest racial/ethnic groups are Hispanic (48.2%), White (23.5%), and Black or African American (19.1%).
Governance
Government Type
Council-Manager
Governing Body
City Council
Body Size
5 members
School District
Multiple districts including Lancaster School District and Antelope Valley Union High School District
Municipal Services
Police · Fire · Public Works · Parks & Recreation
U.S. Congress
Padilla, Alex
Padilla, AlexD
U.S. Senator
Schiff, Adam B.
Schiff, Adam B.D
U.S. Representative
Huffman, Jared
Huffman, JaredD
U.S. Representative - District 2
Kiley, Kevin
Kiley, KevinI
U.S. Representative - District 3
Thompson, Mike
Thompson, MikeD
U.S. Representative - District 4
McClintock, Tom
McClintock, TomR
U.S. Representative - District 5
Bera, Ami
Bera, AmiD
U.S. Representative - District 6
Matsui, Doris O.
Matsui, Doris O.D
U.S. Representative - District 7
Garamendi, John
Garamendi, JohnD
U.S. Representative - District 8
Harder, Josh
Harder, JoshD
U.S. Representative - District 9
DeSaulnier, Mark
DeSaulnier, MarkD
U.S. Representative - District 10
Pelosi, Nancy
Pelosi, NancyD
U.S. Representative - District 11
Simon, Lateefah
Simon, LateefahD
U.S. Representative - District 12
Mullin, Kevin
Mullin, KevinD
U.S. Representative - District 15
Khanna, Ro
Khanna, RoD
U.S. Representative - District 17
Lofgren, Zoe
Lofgren, ZoeD
U.S. Representative - District 18
Panetta, Jimmy
Panetta, JimmyD
U.S. Representative - District 19
Fong, Vince
Fong, VinceR
U.S. Representative - District 20
Costa, Jim
Costa, JimD
U.S. Representative - District 21
Valadao, David G.
Valadao, David G.R
U.S. Representative - District 22
Obernolte, Jay
Obernolte, JayR
U.S. Representative - District 23
Carbajal, Salud O.
Carbajal, Salud O.D
U.S. Representative - District 24
Ruiz, Raul
Ruiz, RaulD
U.S. Representative - District 25
Brownley, Julia
Brownley, JuliaD
U.S. Representative - District 26
Whitesides, George
Whitesides, GeorgeD
U.S. Representative - District 27
Chu, Judy
Chu, JudyD
U.S. Representative - District 28
Rivas, Luz M.
Rivas, Luz M.D
U.S. Representative - District 29
Friedman, Laura
Friedman, LauraD
U.S. Representative - District 30
Cisneros, Gilbert Ray
Cisneros, Gilbert RayD
U.S. Representative - District 31
Sherman, Brad
Sherman, BradD
U.S. Representative - District 32
Aguilar, Pete
Aguilar, PeteD
U.S. Representative - District 33
Gomez, Jimmy
Gomez, JimmyD
U.S. Representative - District 34
Torres, Norma J.
Torres, Norma J.D
U.S. Representative - District 35
Lieu, Ted
Lieu, TedD
U.S. Representative - District 36
Kamlager-Dove, Sydney
Kamlager-Dove, SydneyD
U.S. Representative - District 37
Sánchez, Linda T.
Sánchez, Linda T.D
U.S. Representative - District 38
Takano, Mark
Takano, MarkD
U.S. Representative - District 39
Kim, Young
Kim, YoungR
U.S. Representative - District 40
Calvert, Ken
Calvert, KenR
U.S. Representative - District 41
Garcia, Robert
Garcia, RobertD
U.S. Representative - District 42
Waters, Maxine
Waters, MaxineD
U.S. Representative - District 43
Barragán, Nanette Diaz
Barragán, Nanette DiazD
U.S. Representative - District 44
Tran, Derek
Tran, DerekD
U.S. Representative - District 45
Correa, J. Luis
Correa, J. LuisD
U.S. Representative - District 46
Min, Dave
Min, DaveD
U.S. Representative - District 47
Issa, Darrell
Issa, DarrellR
U.S. Representative - District 48
Levin, Mike
Levin, MikeD
U.S. Representative - District 49
Peters, Scott H.
Peters, Scott H.D
U.S. Representative - District 50
Jacobs, Sara
Jacobs, SaraD
U.S. Representative - District 51
Vargas, Juan
Vargas, JuanD
U.S. Representative - District 52
Economy
Unemployment Rate
6.8%
Economic Profile
Residential/Suburban · Commercial · Aerospace · Renewable Energy
Employment Sectors
Health Care & Social Assistance · Educational Services · Retail Trade
Major Employers
Aerospace companies · Healthcare providers · Retail chains
Education
Students
15,500
School Districts
Lancaster School District · Antelope Valley Union High School District · Eastside Union Elementary School District · Westside Union Elementary School District · Wilsona Elementary School District
Colleges & Universities
Antelope Valley College
Infrastructure
Transportation
State Route 14 · Antelope Valley Line (Metrolink) · Local bus service
Utilities
Water · Power · Broadband/Fiber
Major Facilities
Antelope Valley Hospital · General William J. Fox Airfield
Recreation
Outdoor Access
Yes
Major Recreation Areas
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve · Saddleback Butte State Park · Apollo Community Regional Park
Parks & Trails
City parks · DryTown Water Park · Lancaster National Soccer Center
History
Founded
1876
Incorporated
1977
Named After
Possibly Lancaster, Pennsylvania, or a Southern Pacific Railroad staff member
Historical Significance
Originally a railroad town, Lancaster transformed into a center for agriculture, aerospace, and renewable energy, playing a significant role in the development of the Antelope Valley.
Key Events
Southern Pacific Railroad arrival in 1876 · Establishment of War Eagle Field · Incorporation in 1977 · Development of aerospace industry